With Marsh out, Hawks turn to Hutchinson, Hopkins on mound

Gage Hutchinson and Chris Hopkins, both former DeLand Bulldogs, are being counted on to help carry Spruce Creek's pitching staff down the stretch this year.

BRIAN LINDERSTAFF WRITER

PORT ORANGE — Johnny Goodrich was defiant when the news came out early last week that his Spruce Creek Hawks' ace pitcher, Kyle Marsh, would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Goodrich did allow that Marsh is just about irreplaceable on the field. But when it came to looking ahead, he talked about fending off circling sharks and promised his team had the grit to fight to the end.

And despite losing Marsh's electric stuff, Goodrich said pitching was the least of his worries.

And that has a lot to do with a pair of big right-handers — juniors Gage Hutchinson (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) and Chris Hopkins (6-5, 200).

The duo combine with incumbent Hawks' No. 2 pitcher Griffin Fuller, who has signed to play for Stetson, to form what is still a formidable staff for the defending champions.

Heading into Tuesday's game against Wellington Palm Beach Central in the Powered by Tradition Baseball Classic, Hutchinson has a 5-0 record with a 0.44 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 31 innings. Hopkins, a Florida Gulf Coast commit, has a 2-1 record and two saves to go with a 1.18 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 23 innings.

Perhaps nobody knows what the two former DeLand Bulldogs can do on the mound better than Spruce Creek catcher Jordan Brown.

“With his size, (Hopkins) has an intimidation factor,” Brown said. “When he gets that bulldog edge, it is over for other batters.

“Gage … the biggest thing when he pitches is he gives us a chance,” he added. “When he is pitching, I feel like we are never out of the game.”

Hutchinson said he spent his summers playing travel ball with many of the Hawks' current players. So, prior to this season, he said he and his family moved into Spruce Creek's district so he could join the team. And, thus far, Hutchinson has been the team's most consistent pitcher.

“He is just a competitor,” Goodrich said. “He is a guy that goes out there, and you know he can throw four pitches at any point in the game. He keeps people off-balance and throws a fastball between 85-88 mph.”

According to Brown, what makes Hutchinson's record most remarkable is that many of his starts came in situations where he was called on at the last minute.

“That is true,” Hutchinson said. “It is definitely funny how that has worked out. You have some small things happen, and I was called on for some games that I wasn't quite prepared to start. But I just got my mind focused and went out there and competed for the sake of the team.”

Hutchinson said he has received scholarship offers from Alabama State and Florida Atlantic, but he said he is hoping for something bigger.

“Why he is not signed, sealed and delivered to a big school … I don't know,” Goodrich said.

Hopkins, likely, could have went somewhere bigger than Florida Gulf Coast. In fact, Goodrich said he would not be shocked to see Hopkins' named called in Major League Baseball's amateur draft someday.

“He throws it downhill anywhere between 87 and 90,” Goodrich said. “He is going to be big-time.”

Hopkins, who said he transferred to Spruce Creek to join the IB program as a freshman, has heard the talk.

“(Being drafted) would be a dream come true if it happens,” he said. “But, right now, I'm just thinking about this season and then four years of college.”

Hopkins was the Hawks' third pitcher during last year's title run. This year, he knows he will be called on to fill a larger role. He said Goodrich called Hopkins, Hutchinson and Fuller shortly after Marsh's injury last week.

“He just told us the team will go as far as we take them,” Hopkins said. “I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team.”

And, he said, that means that, most games, either Fuller or Hutchinson will get the start, and Hopkins will be the closer.

“I prefer that right now,” he said. “I can come in for two innings and just give it everything I have.”

And, Hutchinson said, the trio is confident they can get the job done.

“Kyle Marsh was an unbelievable player,” he said. “But, I think we have the talent to go far and repeat. “